The Bauchi State government and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) are collaborating to address the region’s growing energy needs, as Governor Bala Mohammed paid a historic visit to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
The visit comes amid a severe electricity crisis that has hampered socio-economic development in northern Nigeria, even as states attempt to leverage the Electricity Act to evade the problems associated with the national grid.
Speaking during the visit, the REA’s Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, stressed the transformative potential of rural electrification, noting its impact on education, healthcare, and overall development.
“We have successfully completed a $550 million electrification project funded by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, which brought electricity to underserved communities. An additional $750 million has been secured for the next phase, which focuses on private-sector-driven initiatives,” he said.
Aliyu hinted of the agency’s efforts to engage states through roundtable discussions, connecting governors with renewable energy companies, and holding portfolios worth over $2 billion.
Through these collaborations, the MD said the REA had electrified over eight million Nigerians through 156 mini-grids, and continues to expand its reach.
Governor Mohammed expressed Bauchi’s readiness to collaborate with the REA, emphasising the state’s potential for energy development. “Bauchi is rich in resources, including significant coal deposits, which we aim to develop using innovative in-situ methods to generate power. Our focus on renewable energy, such as solar-powered irrigation for farmers, aligns with our goals of affordability and sustainability,” he said.
He also outlined plans to enhance energy access for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), describing reliable electricity as the cornerstone of economic growth.
Mohammed said the region is collaborating to use the North East Development Commission (NEDC) as a leeway for electricity generation and distribution. The move, according to him, would mark a significant step towards addressing the energy deficit in the North East, where millions remain without access to reliable power.
The REA and Bauchi government, at the event, pledged to work together to identify key communities for electrification projects, leveraging data and engaging private developers.
News source: https://guardian.ng/news/bauchi-rea-explore-alternatives-as-power-crisis-persists-in-north/